SHARING a meal with strangers may not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but a supermarket in Oxford is hoping to spread Christmas cheer with its community dining table.

Staff at Waitrose, in Botley Road, have covered a set of tables in the cafe with festive decorations and joined them together in the hope diners will sit and get to know someone new over their next cup of coffee and slice of cake.

Hamish Covey-Hull, the branch's community champion, explained the idea was an extension of the supermarket chain's Christmas advert, which is set at a remote pub in the Yorkshire Dales, where local villagers get snowed in.

The landlords of the pub then open their kitchen to the villagers and they all cook a Christmas meal together.

He said: "It's all about people being part of a community.

"We've had it set up since the end of November and I think it is a great concept.

"These days people don't tend to talk to each other as much as they used to so anything to encourage that is a good thing."

He admitted diners had been initially cautious but added he had witnessed several people meeting in the cafe queue and then using the community table.

A set of festive-themed conversation starters, with questions such as 'What's your funniest cooking disaster?', are also provided on the table to ensure there is plenty to get people talking.

The scheme has been rolled out at selected Waitrose branches across the UK, and the Botley Road branch will continue to be set out for community dining until at least the middle of December, but possible beyond.

Declan Laycock, assistant team manager at the store, explained: "It is up to the individual stores to extend it if it proves popular enough with customers, so if we get enough interest we will keep it going for longer."

The Oxford Mail spoke to customers who regularly use the supermarket's cafe to see if there was an appetite for the endeavour.

Gayne O'Sullivan, despite being in the cafe to study in peace away from her two young children, supported the idea.

The 36-year-old said: "In the past I've studied here lots with a friend and we met quite a few new people and had really nice conversations with them.

"I think it's great that they've come up with something more formal in this community table.

"There's already a really good community atmosphere in the store and I think I would definitely be up for using the table in the future."

Joe Hughes, 55, was similarly enthusiastic, saying he had not realised the scheme was happening but 'loved' the idea.

He added: "I think it's great that if you sit at the table it let's other people know you are open to having a conversation."